Hamilton to close two COVID-19 testing centres this month

Hamilton public health will be scaling back COVID-19 testing in the city with the closure of two centres later this month.

The city announced Monday it will be taking its assessment centres on King Street East and Main Street West off-line with the continued decline" of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks.

Hamilton reported eight new cases Monday and there are no active outbreaks.

The city said the change to testing comes at a time of decreasing demand for testing, and direction from the Ontario Health West to consolidate symptomatic testing."

According to public health, the average number of COVID tests completed at Hamilton's assessment and testing centres over the last week is 286.

That's compared to the 1,300 daily COVID tests administered by health care workers at peak times" of the pandemic.

The east end assessment centre at 2757 King St. E. will close its doors on July 10, while the centre at 690 Main St. W. will cease operations on July 15.

Hamilton's lone testing centre will be at St. Joseph's Healthcare located at 135 Fennell Ave. W. It will operate until Dec. 31, 2021, according to the a press release.

The city said that site will have 400 appointments available daily for residents and can accommodate up to 1,000 tests per day if needed. Testing resources will be adjusted if circumstances change within the community," added public health.

Symptomatic testing will continue for homebound residents, those living in long-term care facilities and retirement homes and unhoused folks, according to the city. Asymptomatic testing will also continue at certain pharmacies.

As of Monday, the city has performed a total 345,069 COVID-19 tests at its testing and assessment centres.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com